as in rivalry
an earnest effort for superiority or victory over another
the annual fall face-off between these traditional rivals is a big event for both football-mad colleges
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of face-off
Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 June 2025
The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The two former college teammates are also facing off with each other in practice.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Noun
The footage goes on to preview many of the face-offs to come.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 28 June 2025
The first Tron had played out as a series of face-offs featuring glowing figures against a black background, replicating the blank environment of an arcade screen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Verb
The two faced off for the second time in April 2019 at UFC 236.
—Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025
The two former college teammates are also facing off with each other in practice.
—Charlotte Observer, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for face-off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face-off
Noun
-
There’s been a lot of change in college football in recent years, but rivalries still form the foundation of the sport for so many fans.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
7 July 2025
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Adding an element of controversy to what’s been an unusually friendly title rivalry, Piastri even suggested that if McLaren thought the call was unfair, the team could ask him and Norris to swap places to cancel the effect of the penalty.—
James Ellingworth,
Denver Post,
6 July 2025
Verb
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But the team has 11 superb players in its Starting XI that compete well together.—
Michael Lewis,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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Palace will instead compete in Europe’s third-tier competition, the UEFA Conference League — a far less lucrative and prestigious tournament.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
Pro-Israel groups have fought a decades-long battle to marginalize the movement, which its critics say seeks the eradication of Israel as a Jewish state.—
Gabe Friedman,
Sun Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
Advertisement The Netanyahu government's prolonging of the war Netanyahu continues to battle with approval ratings amid an ongoing corruption trial back home.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
7 July 2025
Verb
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Abrego Garcia denies being a member of the gang and contends the charges don’t justify holding him in jail.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
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The 40-year-old James will give the Lakers a chance to reach Ayton, which, in turn, will give them a chance to contend for another championship.—
Dylan Hernández,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Noun
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What looked like a classic pitchers’ duel before the game took some twists and turns on Friday, with one ace looking rock-solid, but losing, and another ace struggling early, but winning.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
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Junk and Baltimore starter Trevor Rogers engaged in a pitchers’ duel into the seventh inning.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 July 2025
Verb
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The European Union is racing to plug a shortfall of as much as $19 billion in Ukraine’s 2026 annual budget.—
Katya Soldak,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
-
How one man raced 25 miles to save guests at his Texas RV park As the Guadalupe River muscled over its banks at speed, David Chambers knocked on one door after another at his RV resort.—
Jane Onyanga-Omara,
USA Today,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Their manager, Sarina Wiegman, has an extraordinary record in this competition, having won it with both the Netherlands and England.—
Darren Richman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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As for the women's competition this year, Miki Sudo scored her 11th Nathan's Famous title after downing 33 franks — falling below her 2024 record of 51.—
Logan Holland,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Noun
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The incident is one of the latest in a growing series of confrontations with federal immigration officers.—
Greg Norman,
FOXNews.com,
11 July 2025
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That ultimately led to a verbal confrontation between Morrow, 47, and Steve Raleigh.—
Kevin Grasha,
The Enquirer,
11 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Face-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face-off. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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